Serene Lee's Recipe Collection

This is a cinnamon-inspired smoothie recipe. To be sure you get enough cinnamon -- this recipe serves two -- we suggest topping your drink with a generous sprinkling of the fragrant spice.

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There are healthier ways to get your fill of pumpkin than by eating pumpkin pie -- like this pumpkin pudding recipe

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Preheating the muffin pan before baking makes these reduced-fat popovers rise to dramatic heights.

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While pumpkin pie deserves respect as a Thanksgiving icon, it's fun to shake up tradition. Surprise your family and friends with a frozen pie this year?it just might become one of their holiday favorites. No need to let them know how easy it is.

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Dress peppery watercress with a simple Asian-influenced vinaigrette for a delightful salad.

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This refreshing beverage adds sparkle to your summer evenings.

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When time is of the essence, this hearty stew makes a quick meal. It has a complex, almost beefy flavor that develops when the onion and garlic are cooked until dark brown. Accompany with steamed rice or whole-wheat flatbreads (chapatis).

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Try turkey, low-fat cheddar and grape jam for a kid-friendly version.

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A smear of reduced-fat mayonnaise and a little fresh basil allow perfectly ripe tomatoes to shine.

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Smoked salmon plays off crispy cucumber and creamy avocado.

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Salmon cooks over a bed of lemon and fresh herbs to infuse it with flavor and keep the fish tender and moist. We like a blend of thyme, tarragon and oregano, but any of your favorite herbs will work. Make it a meal: Serve with grilled new potatoes tossed in an herb vinaigrette and steamed green beans.

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Say the word chia and most of us immediately think of little green pets. But we want you to think of chia for another reason: A whole grain used by the Aztecs as their main energy source, chia can help restore energy levels and decrease inflammation because it contains omega-3 fatty acids. Similar to corn starch, chia can be used as a thickening agent and as a substitute for whole grains in your diet. Read more about chia seeds. Whole grains are especially important because they help stabilize blood sugar levels, avoiding the spikes and falls that can occur when you eat sugars and refined carbohydrates. Make a batch of chia muffins -- try the recipe below, or pick up a mix at the store, but be sure to use canola oil when preparing them.

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Say the word chia and most of us immediately think of little green pets. But we want you to think of chia for another reason: A whole grain used by the Aztecs as their main energy source, chia can help restore energy levels and decrease inflammation because it contains omega-3 fatty acids. Similar to corn starch, chia can be used as a thickening agent and as a substitute for whole grains in your diet. Read more about chia seeds. Whole grains are especially important because they help stabilize blood sugar levels, avoiding the spikes and falls that can occur when you eat sugars and refined carbohydrates. Make a batch of chia muffins -- try the recipe below, or pick up a mix at the store, but be sure to use canola oil when preparing them.

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Now and Zen

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Not only for dancing divas

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For porch sippers

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This dish is best done at the last minute so the snap peas keep their crisp texture. The pink of the shrimp and the green peas make it as pretty as it is tasty.

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Like many spinach salads, this one features lots of chopped-up hard-boiled egg. But since most of the calories in an egg are in the yolk, we use just two whole eggs, plus the whites from six additional eggs. The result is a rich, eggy, satisfying spinach salad that keeps the calories in check.

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For a sophisticated starter, try this colorful salad, which marries fresh berries, caramelized nuts and tangy feta cheese. Pureed berries form the base of the dressing, giving it a velvety texture and rich flavor.

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Top fennel slices with shaved Parmesan for a tasty treat.

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The salty, rich taste of toasted, chopped pistachios is the perfect accent to the sweet fennel and tangy citrus flavors of this elegant salad.

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Delicious warm white beans and fennel are topped with succulent fennel-seed-crusted salmon for a double hit of flavor. For an extra-fresh look, set aside some additional chopped fennel fronds to use as a garnish.

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